Development of radiation field mapping measurement system based on high radiation tolerant solar cells for low-light illumination (Contract research); FY2023 Nuclear Energy Science & Technology and Human Resource Development Project

Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science; Institute of Physical and Chemical Research*

The Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science (CLADS), Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), had been conducting the Nuclear Energy Science & Technology and Human Resource Development Project (hereafter referred to "the Project") in FY2023. The Project aims to contribute to solving problems in the nuclear energy field represented by the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (1F), Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. (TEPCO). For this purpose, intelligence was collected from all over the world, and basic research and human resource development were promoted by closely integrating/collaborating knowledge and experiences in various fields beyond the barrier of conventional organizations and research fields. The sponsor of the Project was moved from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to JAEA since the newly adopted proposals in FY2018. On this occasion, JAEA constructed a new research system where JAEA-academia collaboration is reinforced and medium-to-long term research/development and human resource development contributing to the decommissioning are stably and consecutively implemented. Among the adopted proposals in FY2022, this report summarizes the research results of the "Development of radiation field mapping measurement system based on high radiation tolerant solar cells for low-light illumination" conducted in FY2023. The present study aims to develop a system that can map radiation fields by applying independent and remotely operated sensors to obtain radiation information in the Primary Containment Vessel (PCV) in real time. The system will be implemented in a real environment to ensure the safety of workers and equipment by monitoring the leakage of gamma rays and neutrons, which are highly penetrating and can be a cause of accidents. A solar cell dosimeter is being developed as a compact sensor of the built-in potential drive type that utilizes a device with high radiation tolerance that has been developed as a solar cell for space use. The CIGS solar cell dosimeter is the basis for the development of a system with high functionality and systemization for 1F packaging. In FY2023, we will investigate the conditions for creating a flexible device based on the structure of a CIGS solar cell device, and clarify the initial characteristics of a prototype device using a CIGS device on a glass substrate through irradiation tests using gamma rays, electron beams, and neutron beams. In the neutron detection structure, we will explore the conditions for applying the conversion material boron, investigate the conditions for adjusting the particle size of the powder material by milling, and select the coating method and solvent conditions. In mapping measurements, we will develop a system that can display dose information by measuring multiple sensors.